After doing some research, I'm comfortable with the idea that I want Linux installed the second of two computers. But I have a few questions that prevent me from moving forward.

Currently, the computer is running win98 SE, has 192MB SD RAM and a 600 MHZ processor. Sometimes it runs a bit sluggish, but I think linux will fix things up nicely.

First question: Which distro should I go with? I was eyeing Mandrake and heard that it's great (nice interface.) However -- I also heard that it's more resource intensive than even windows XP. Is this true? Will my computer be able to handle it? Or should I go with something else?

And while were on that on, is it true that mandrake is the best, or should I go with something else?

2)My parents gave me the go ahead for this little project as long as I could meet a few requirements. The first, of course, was that it had to be able to connect to the internet through the linksys router. Is this really difficult? Apparantly people running redhat have problems doing so?

3)The second condition was that it had to be able to run MSN messenger for my siblings. I'd imagine there's something like trillian for linux but I'm not sure. So is it possible?

4) Will I be able to access and download files from the linux computer onto the XP through the LAN? The Linux computer doesn't need to access any files from the XP, BTW.

5) I know I've asked something similar, but I'd prefer that linuxrun better or equal to win98SE. Are these expectations reasonable?

I look forward to your answers. ANY help you can offer would be appreciated.

-Thanks.

http://amsn.sourceforge.net/ and http://gaim.sourceforge.net/ are suitable msn replacements, but microsoft is about to close msn to all third party software so I don't know how long you will be able to use them.

http://www.samba.org/ can be used to share files via NetBIOS a la windows.

The router shouldn't pose a problem.

And running linux "better or equal to win98SE" isn't a problem either, but you'll probably wan't to install Mandrake (or whatever you decide to go for) with a bunch of useless features and bloated window managers at first untill you get the feel for what you're doing and can start tweaking things by yourself.

Originally posted by Xerxes
First question: Which distro should I go with? I was eyeing Mandrake and heard that it's great (nice interface.) However -- I also heard that it's more resource intensive than even windows XP. Is this true? Will my computer be able to handle it? Or should I go with something else?

Mandrake is a nice distro, pretty easy to get the hasng of it too i believe.
Originally posted by Xerxes

2)My parents gave me the go ahead for this little project as long as I could meet a few requirements. The first, of course, was that it had to be able to connect to the internet through the linksys router. Is this really difficult? Apparantly people running redhat have problems doing so?

I see no reason why linux wouldn't work with the router.
Originally posted by Xerxes

3)The second condition was that it had to be able to run MSN messenger for my siblings. I'd imagine there's something like trillian for linux but I'm not sure. So is it possible?

Well if you absolutely must use MSN you might want to consider installing WINE, it can handle the real MSN.
Originally posted by Xerxes

4) Will I be able to access and download files from the linux computer onto the XP through the LAN? The Linux computer doesn't need to access any files from the XP, BTW.

Guessing you have to install a ftpd then, don't think windows can read linux partitions.
/edit Just read the above reply and yes samba can do it too (forgot :( )
Originally posted by Xerxes

5) I know I've asked something similar, but I'd prefer that linuxrun better or equal to win98SE. Are these expectations reasonable?

Well depends on what you want to do with it. It isa more stable though but the is less userfriendlyness (although about the latter i'm not even sure anymore :D ) Otherwise before you install hit the library and get some linux books to get the general feel.
Originally posted by Xerxes

-Thanks.

No problem

Thanks Guys!